Looking north on Norfolk St.(note hwy 24 sign just below 44.9)towards Robinson St where Budd's,Walker's,Woolworth's and a bank were on the corners.Turn right on Water St to Loblaw's and the old beer store where under-age people more courageous than I bought my beer for me. King's China shop was in white corner bldg at right. 2 cars at left in front of then-Kindy Furs on the corner. Turn left at white bldg onto Peel St to buy sporting goods and tires at Mottashed Motors,get a prescription from Dr. MacIntosh,or get your ears lowered at Peter Boon's barber shop.I think that the white building at left was an appliance store. Cigs were less than 50 cts so a pack of smokes,$2 gas,and 25c for a DQ buster bar-I was a happy, rolling,teenage buck in our '63 Chevy,cruising for company and looking to see what life had in store on a small-town Ontario wknd.Do I miss the simplicity,the innocence,the days before vhs,cd's,dvd's,computers and cell phones? Ooohhh yeeaahh...I worked part time on a golf course and a potato (no e Dan Quayle) farm both paying me 1.25 hr so a full 8 hour day earned me a 10-spot.I spent most of it on wine,women,and song-and the rest,as they say, I just spent foolishly...
This pic shows a relatively stark view of a Victorian town of that day.Notice how unfettered the street is from neon,overhead wires,and as in this pic,even people.The building code probably didn't allow-thank goodness- buildings higher than 3 stories on the main streets.The season is spring I believe-no leaves on the trees or on the streets;late afternoon with the sun laying down long shadows from the west.Notice how the streets ARE clean as per the can's request.Fond memories of another time remembered with reverence for those who went before, and those with whom I shared so much in childhood and adolescence.My highest blessings and thank you, Simcoe,from afar. ...more to come...regards to duncan
